Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned the nation on Sunday to prepare for new waves of Russian attacks on infrastructure as winter approaches, stating that forces expect an offensive on the eastern front of the war. A military spokesperson noted that Russian attacks on the war-torn town of Avdiivka have slowed in the past day, but are likely to intensify in the coming days. Ukrainian military intelligence reported an explosion that killed at least three Russian soldiers in the southern town of Melitopol, which is occupied by Russia, describing it as a "retaliatory act" by resistance groups.
Zelensky issued his warning during a video address on the evening after Russian forces launched their first missile attack on the capital Kyiv in about seven weeks. He said: "We are heading towards mid-November, and we must be prepared for the reality that the enemy may increase the number of missile strikes or drone attacks on our infrastructure." He added: "Russia is preparing to confront Ukraine. Here in Ukraine, all attention should be focused on defense, responding to terrorists, and on everything we can do to survive the winter and enhance the capabilities of our soldiers."
Last winter, nearly ten months after Russia invaded its neighbor Ukraine, Russia launched a wave of attacks on power stations and other facilities connected to the energy grid, causing ongoing power outages in various regions. Ukrainian officials reported last Wednesday that Russia has bombed Ukrainian infrastructure 60 times in recent weeks, indicating that a campaign of attacks may already be underway. Zelensky praised the "heroic" efforts of the forces defending Avdiivka, which are under pressure from Russian advance attempts, as images showed buildings in the city destroyed by shelling.
